The AIDS Clinical Trials Unit (ACTU) at the University
of Pennsylvania was established in 1992, in response
to the AIDS crisis in Philadelphia and the United
States. The unit is one of 32 university-based clinics,
which make up the largest research organization in
the world, the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG).
It has been a leader in creating the standards of
care for HIV infection and opportunistic diseases
related to HIV / AIDS, by conducting studies to test
new treatments. The ACTG is funded by the National
Institutes of Health.

The AIDS Clinical Trials Group research focuses on:

Developing
treatments based on better understanding of how
HIV disease progresses.

Treatment
strategies to decrease virus production and improve
disease-free survival.

Rapid
development of medicines to prevent or delay complications.

Recruitment
and treatment of study participants who represent
the range of people currently infected with HIV.

Treatments
that improve quality of life for persons with
HIV infection.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the University of Pennsylvania ACTU
is to extend the survival and enhance the quality
of life of people with HIV infection, through the
further understanding of how the HIV virus causes
HIV infection and its complications, and the development
of new and improved treatments. We will strive to
make HIV research available to all segments of the
HIV community, to care for patients in research studies
with compassion and with attention to their health
as the fIrst priority, and to educate patients about
HIV infection and its treatment so they may be more
knowledgeable participants in their care.